That dollar cost for worldwide coal imports reflects an 91.2% increase since 2018 when imported coal cost $149.9 billion and an 84% acceleration from 2021 when globally imported coal amounted to $155.8 billion in international spending.
The top 5 importers of coal are Japan, India, mainland China, South Korea and Taiwan. Collectively, that cohort of leading coal importers bought approaching two-thirds (64%) of the worldwide coal total.
From a continental perspective, Asian countries consumed the highest dollar worth of imported coal in 2022 with purchases amounting to $225 billion or almost four-fifths (78.5%) of the worldwide total. In second place were European importers at 15.6%.
Smaller percentages were sold to buyers in Latin America (3.6%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean, Africa (1.4%), North America (0.7%), then Oceania (0.2%) led by New Caledonia and Australia.
For research purposes, the 4-digit Harmonized Tariff System code prefix is 2701 for coal and similar solid fuels made from coal. Nearly two-thirds (65.1%) of worldwide imported coal contains bitumen, while less than one percent (0.05%) was coal briquettes or similar solid fuels.
Coal Imports by Country
Below are the 15 countries that imported the highest dollar value worth of coal during 2022.
- Japan: US$59.7 billion (20.8% of total imported coal)
- India: $49 billion (17.1%)
- China: $30.3 billion (10.6%)
- South Korea: $28.2 billion (9.8%)
- Taiwan: $16.4 billion (5.7%)
- Germany: $12.9 billion (4.5%)
- Türkiye: $8.2 billion (2.8%)
- Malaysia: $7 billion (2.4%)
- Philippines: $6 billion (2.1%)
- Poland: $5.7 billion (2%)
- Brazil: $5.5 billion (1.9%)
- Vietnam: $5 billion (1.7%)
- Italy: $4.2 billion (1.5%)
- Indonesia: $3.6 billion (1.3%)
- Chile: $3 billion (1.1%)
By value, the listed 15 countries purchased 85.3% of all coal imported in 2022.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing markets for coal were: Poland (up 280.9% from 2021), Italy (up 197.5%), Germany (up 144.8%) and Japan (up 133.7%).
Those countries that posted the most modest increases in their imported coal purchases were: mainland China (up 11.9% from 2021) and Vietnam (up 26%).
Major Coal and Related Imports into Japan
Japan’s global purchases of imported coal totaled US$59.7 billion in 2022. Below are the top suppliers from which Japan imported the highest dollar value worth of coal during 2022. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country from 2021 to 2022.
- Australia: US$40.2 billion (up 134.6% from 2021)
- Indonesia: $8.2 billion (up 184.2%)
- Canada: $3.7 billion (up 233.3%)
- Russia: $3.5 billion (up 35.9%)
- United States of America: $2.6 billion (up 116%)
- Colombia: $458.7 million (up 351.6%)
- South Africa: $355.7 million (up 859%)
- mainland China: $188.4 million (up 10%)
- Vietnam: $150.4 million (up 45%)
- New Zealand: $117.8 million (up 88.9%)
- Mozambique: $57.2 million (down -18.9%)
- Peru: $8.5 million (2021 data unavailable)
- Taiwan: $565,000 (up 11.2%)
- Thailand: $561,000 (down -17.7%)
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 100% of coal imported by Japan in 2022.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of coal to Japan from 2021 to 2022 were: South Africa (up 554.1%), Mozambique (up 285.7%), Vietnam (up 139.4%) and Australia (up 76.3%).
Countries that experienced declines in the value of their coal supplied to Japanese importers included: Brazil (down -100%), Kazakhstan (down -37.3%), Thailand (down -36.8%) and Taiwan (down -24.7%).
Overall, the value of Japan’s imported coal accelerated by an average 133.7% from all supplying countries since 2021 when coal purchased cost $25.6 billion.
Major Coal and Related Imports into India
India’s global purchases of imported coal totaled US$49 billion in 2022. Below are the top 15 suppliers from which India imported the highest dollar value worth of coal during 2022. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country from 2021 to 2022.
- Australia: US$15.5 billion (up 37.7% from 2021)
- Indonesia: $14.4 billion (up 141.8%)
- Russia: $4.3 billion (up 290.1%)
- South Africa: $3.9 billion (up 49.7%)
- United States of America: $3.9 billion (up 118.4%)
- Singapore: $2.9 billion (up 207.7%)
- Mozambique: $1.8 billion (up 146.4%)
- Canada: $986.7 million (up 123.9%)
- United Arab Emirates: $502.2 million (up 554.5%)
- Switzerland: $410.7 million (up 55.4%)
- Latvia: $82.1 million (2021 data unavailable)
- mainland China: $80.6 million (down -80.7%)
- New Zealand: $61.5 million (up 233%)
- Taiwan: $54.6 million (2021 data unavailable)
- United Kingdom: $34.8 million (up 595.8%)
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 99.8% of coal imported by India in 2022.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of coal to India from 2021 to 2022 were: United Kingdom (up 595.8%), United Arab Emirates (up 554.5%), Russia (up 290.1%) and New Zealand (up 233%).
Mainland China was the lone decliner among the leading coal importers, pulled down by an -80.7% reduction compared to 2021.
Overall, the value of India’s imported coal rose by an average 90.5% from all supplying countries since 2021 when coal purchased cost $25.7 billion.
Major Coal and Related Imports into China
Mainland China’s global purchases of imported coal totaled US$30.3 billion in 2022. Below are the top 15 suppliers from which China imported the highest dollar value worth of coal during 2022. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country from 2021 to 2022.
- Russia: US$11.7 billion (up 66.3% from 2021)
- Indonesia: $7.5 billion (down -22.7%)
- Mongolia: $5 billion (up 152%)
- Canada: $3.2 billion (up 10.5%)
- United States of America: $1.8 billion (down -34.3%)
- Australia: $350.2 million (down -66%)
- South Africa: $246.8 million (down -67.1%)
- Colombia: $107.5 million (down -76.8%)
- Mozambique: $61.1 million (down -74.3%)
- Peru: $51.9 million (up 65.5%)
- Vietnam: $41.7 million (up 9,891%)
- New Zealand: $39.8 million (up 40.2%)
- Iran: $37.2 million (up 1,163%)
- Kazakhstan: $17 million (down -69.4%)
- Laos: $7.9 million (up 17,161%)
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 99.97% of coal imported by mainland China in 2022.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of coal to China from 2021 to 2022 were: Laos (up 17,161%), Vietnam (up 9,891%), Iran (up 1,163%) and Mongolia (up 152%).
Countries that experienced declines in the value of their coal supplied to Chinese importers included: Colombia (down -76.8%), Mozambique (down -74.3%), Kazakhstan (down -69.4%) and South Africa (down -67.1%).
Overall, the value of mainland China’s imported coal increased by an average 11.9% from all supplying countries since 2021 when coal purchased cost $27.1 billion.
Major Coal and Related Imports into South Korea
South Korea’s global purchases of imported coal totaled US$28.2 billion in 2022. Below are the top 15 suppliers from which South Korea imported the highest dollar value worth of coal during 2022. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country from 2021 to 2022.
- Australia: US$12.4 billion (up 60.5% from 2021)
- Russia: $5.7 billion (up 122.1%)
- Indonesia: $3.5 billion (up 109.1%)
- Canada: $2.6 billion (up 124.5%)
- South Africa: $1.3 billion (up 274.6%)
- United States of America: $881.1 million (up 189.6%)
- Mozambique: $548 million (up 146.2%)
- Colombia: $405.8 million (up 41.1%)
- Philippines: $284 million (up 962.1%)
- mainland China: $170.1 million (up 202.5%)
- New Zealand: $83.8 million (up 83%)
- Peru: $59.1 million (up 632.1%)
- Vietnam: $52.3 million (up 48.3%)
- Switzerland: $20.5 million (2021 data unavailable)
- Saudi Arabia: $16.7 million (2021 data unavailable)
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 99.9% of coal imported by South Korea in 2022.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of coal to South Korea from 2021 to 2022 were: Philippines (up 962.1%), Peru (up 632.1%), South Africa (up 274.6%) and mainland China (up 202.5%).
The most modest increases were from suppliers in Colombia (up 41.1% from 2021) and Vietnam (up 48.3%).
Overall, the value of South Korea’s imported coal expanded by an average 93.8% from all supplying countries since 2021 when coal purchased cost $14.5 billion.
Searchable List of Coal Importing Countries in 2022
You can change the presentation order by clicking the triangle icon at the top of any of the columns below. The right-most column highlights the percentage change in value from 2021 to 2022
An entry of 0% in that column means that no value for 2021 was available.
| Rank | Importer | Coal Imports | 2021-2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Japan | $59,701,833,000 | +133.7% |
| 2. | India | $48,985,861,000 | +90.5% |
| 3. | China | $30,282,017,000 | +11.9% |
| 4. | South Korea | $28,154,283,000 | +93.8% |
| 5. | Taiwan | $16,359,825,000 | +95.2% |
| 6. | Germany | $12,931,163,000 | +144.8% |
| 7. | Türkiye | $8,169,291,000 | +100.4% |
| 8. | Malaysia | $7,011,658,000 | +74.4% |
| 9. | Philippines | $6,041,730,000 | +109.3% |
| 10. | Poland | $5,654,877,000 | +280.9% |
| 11. | Brazil | $5,546,889,000 | +100.2% |
| 12. | Vietnam | $4,957,315,000 | +26% |
| 13. | Italy | $4,201,443,000 | +197.5% |
| 14. | Indonesia | $3,622,573,000 | +59.2% |
| 15. | Chile | $3,019,125,000 | +77.4% |
| 16. | Netherlands | $2,925,409,000 | +59% |
| 17. | Spain | $2,891,542,000 | +253.4% |
| 18. | France | $2,837,936,000 | +137.7% |
| 19. | Thailand | $2,710,765,000 | +49.1% |
| 20. | Pakistan | $2,198,259,000 | -5.1% |
| 21. | Morocco | $2,087,023,000 | +117.2% |
| 22. | Israel | $1,979,713,000 | +160.6% |
| 23. | United Kingdom | $1,944,663,000 | +200.1% |
| 24. | Belgium | $1,839,475,000 | +162.8% |
| 25. | Hong Kong | $1,558,803,000 | +119.8% |
| 26. | Czech Republic | $1,360,941,000 | +103.2% |
| 27. | Finland | $1,303,493,000 | +285.5% |
| 28. | Bangladesh | $1,240,874,000 | +111.6% |
| 29. | Ukraine | $1,176,985,000 | -52.7% |
| 30. | Slovakia | $1,070,409,000 | +106.5% |
| 31. | Canada | $1,011,594,000 | +66.4% |
| 32. | Austria | $943,783,000 | +86.6% |
| 33. | Sweden | $768,834,000 | +117.1% |
| 34. | United States | $760,987,000 | +49.4% |
| 35. | Dominican Republic | $657,211,000 | +128.1% |
| 36. | Argentina | $554,979,000 | +71.5% |
| 37. | Cambodia | $554,919,000 | +89.1% |
| 38. | South Africa | $516,664,000 | +30.6% |
| 39. | Bosnia/Herzegovina | $488,652,000 | +73.8% |
| 40. | Egypt | $412,496,000 | +122.3% |
| 41. | Ireland | $400,156,000 | +68.9% |
| 42. | New Caledonia | $392,559,000 | +199.9% |
| 43. | Bulgaria | $363,978,000 | +228.4% |
| 44. | Guatemala | $363,551,000 | +39.4% |
| 45. | Sri Lanka | $362,677,000 | +22.4% |
| 46. | Hungary | $309,041,000 | +36.1% |
| 47. | Norway | $289,144,000 | +165.5% |
| 48. | Nepal | $256,283,000 | -5.7% |
| 49. | Croatia | $220,605,000 | +131.9% |
| 50. | Russia | $216,002,000 | -47.7% |
| 51. | Romania | $192,512,000 | +109.3% |
| 52. | Senegal | $186,760,000 | +96.1% |
| 53. | Brunei Darussalam | $185,200,000 | +30.5% |
| 54. | Mauritius | $170,766,000 | +69.7% |
| 55. | United Arab Emirates | $152,394,000 | -63.8% |
| 56. | Kenya | $138,182,000 | +37.7% |
| 57. | Madagascar | $126,179,000 | +103.1% |
| 58. | Singapore | $116,471,000 | +92.5% |
| 59. | Peru | $112,103,000 | +214.4% |
| 60. | Ethiopia | $108,579,000 | +60.4% |
| 61. | Mexico | $108,097,000 | +70% |
| 62. | Democr. Rep. Congo | $107,484,000 | +47.9% |
| 63. | Panama | $85,960,000 | +3.5% |
| 64. | Iceland | $85,390,000 | +118.8% |
| 65. | Kazakhstan | $79,634,000 | +33% |
| 66. | Serbia | $78,170,000 | +83.4% |
| 67. | Lithuania | $78,135,000 | +208.2% |
| 68. | Australia | $51,582,000 | +184.2% |
| 69. | Togo | $50,846,000 | +73.6% |
| 70. | Nigeria | $50,078,000 | +154.8% |
| 71. | Jordan | $43,874,000 | +19.9% |
| 72. | Saudi Arabia | $43,335,000 | +65.3% |
| 73. | Uzbekistan | $37,386,000 | +19.7% |
| 74. | Moldova | $37,183,000 | +129.5% |
| 75. | Bahrain | $35,959,000 | +251.9% |
| 76. | Djibouti | $33,833,000 | -21.1% |
| 77. | Greece | $32,237,000 | +2.5% |
| 78. | Latvia | $31,468,000 | +887.4% |
| 79. | Namibia | $29,460,000 | +720.2% |
| 80. | Congo | $27,759,000 | +1638% |
| 81. | Yemen | $27,260,000 | -16.3% |
| 82. | North Macedonia | $26,563,000 | +96.2% |
| 83. | Benin | $23,538,000 | +13.4% |
| 84. | Kuwait | $22,426,000 | +29.9% |
| 85. | Kyrgyzstan | $21,723,000 | -21.9% |
| 86. | Mozambique | $21,206,000 | +151.6% |
| 87. | Honduras | $21,013,000 | +325.5% |
| 88. | Georgia | $20,730,000 | +130.5% |
| 89. | Cyprus | $18,246,000 | +132% |
| 90. | Oman | $17,399,000 | -1.9% |
| 91. | Switzerland | $15,409,000 | +117.5% |
| 92. | Ecuador | $14,551,000 | +88.3% |
| 93. | Zambia | $14,384,000 | +64.7% |
| 94. | Ghana | $12,478,000 | +51.9% |
| 95. | New Zealand | $11,804,000 | +57.5% |
| 96. | Luxembourg | $11,584,000 | +134.1% |
| 97. | Eswatini | $10,967,000 | +16.8% |
| 98. | Denmark | $10,665,000 | +32.2% |
| 99. | Iran | $10,381,000 | -95.7% |
| 100. | Qatar | $9,852,000 | +1020% |
Enlarging the scope to the top 100 coal buyers from international markets, the fastest-growing spenders on imported coal from 2021 to 2022 were Congo (up 1,638%), Qatar (up 1,020%), Latvia (up 887.4%), Namibia (up 720.2%), Honduras (up 325.5%), then Finland (up 285.5%).
See also Average Coal Prices Compared for Top Coal Exporters by Country, Coal Exports by Country, Japan’s Top Trading Partners and Japan’s Top 10 Imports
Research Sources:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Field Listing: Exports – Commodities. Accessed on July 24, 2023
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on July 24, 2023
Wikipedia, Coal. Accessed on July 24, 2023
